We had an interesting conversation the other night surrounding a new dinner that was served. It was rice, cooked peppers and onions, with keilbasa. Since Kylie only likes raw peppers and wasn't going for what we were calling "hot dog", she was only eating the rice and onions and the green beans I had made as a saftey net.
Daddy in a stern voice: " you need to learn to eat all your food".
Kylie: Pause. "Awww, daddy said I can't eat my green beans".
Mommy: "nice daddy"
Daddy: "no I just meant you need to eat your hot dog and your rice and your peppers, all of it".
Kylie silent for a bit not convinced.
Mommy: "hashtag dad fail"
Kylie: "hashtag mom fail"
Mommy: "whaat?"
Kylie: "hashtag mom fail and dad fail together".
Well said baby girl.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Ages and stages: 28 months!
I must admit I am starting to lose track of your age through months! I had to pause a bit before I began writing this and even now I wouldn't be surprised if I was wrong! ;)
It's almost Christmas and you have been enjoying the season very much. Last night you said "I love you tree" and gave it a little hug ( your hugs are pretty much always accompanied by a little " mmmM" sound effect). We have been doing lots of watercolor painting of our christmas coloring books, some Christmas crafts and Christmas baking. Oh and we have definitely been splurging on all the Christmas movies! I think we have seen them all this year: Charlie Brown, Garfield, Rudolph, Frosty, Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express. And today I plan to watch one of my Holiday favorites: Home Alone 2.
You love to read all our Christmas books but some of your other favorites have been the Healthkins Books, this book about Vegetables (Charles Broccoli, Ripe Tomato, Corny on the Cob, etc.) and anything With the Seasame Street characters. You have really been loving playing with you're little people recently and also your baby dolls.
You haven't been fighting getting dressed as much lately (knock on wood) and absolutely LOVE your big girl bed (which you have been in for about a month now). Potty training is going pretty well. You will go # 2 on the potty 100% of the time but you have a harder time feeling like you will need to go pee so you might have an accident like once a day if we forget to remind you to try.
It's almost Christmas and you have been enjoying the season very much. Last night you said "I love you tree" and gave it a little hug ( your hugs are pretty much always accompanied by a little " mmmM" sound effect). We have been doing lots of watercolor painting of our christmas coloring books, some Christmas crafts and Christmas baking. Oh and we have definitely been splurging on all the Christmas movies! I think we have seen them all this year: Charlie Brown, Garfield, Rudolph, Frosty, Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express. And today I plan to watch one of my Holiday favorites: Home Alone 2.
You love to read all our Christmas books but some of your other favorites have been the Healthkins Books, this book about Vegetables (Charles Broccoli, Ripe Tomato, Corny on the Cob, etc.) and anything With the Seasame Street characters. You have really been loving playing with you're little people recently and also your baby dolls.
You haven't been fighting getting dressed as much lately (knock on wood) and absolutely LOVE your big girl bed (which you have been in for about a month now). Potty training is going pretty well. You will go # 2 on the potty 100% of the time but you have a harder time feeling like you will need to go pee so you might have an accident like once a day if we forget to remind you to try.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Pregnancy #2
Ahhh, I can't believe I am 19 weeks along and I am just finally getting a chance to write about this! This pregnancy has definitely been going a lot faster than the first! In general things have been going smoothly.
First Trimester:
Definitely felt like I started to show sooner this time. It was like the thick middle phase was faster and just went to a little belly almost immediately. But thankfully, it later seemed like I evened out so I think I'm almost the same size as I was last time this far along. Ironically, I weigh less this time around (although I won't be surprised if the holiday's help me catch up!). I was very tired and this time I felt a little more nauseous than my first pregnancy. It was worse right around supper time but sometimes would be other times of the day. I didn't actually vomit thought except once when I gagged myself with my toothbrush. I hated the heat we had at the end of the summer and couldn't wait for the cold autumn air. I had what felt like stretching pains right at the beginning and then I actually pulled a muscle in my stomach. It was sore for a couple days then was sore if I used my abs or hit it for about a week or two. Then it went away completely.
Second Trimester:
Feeling a lot better, especially after 14 weeks. Felt movement consistently starting at 18 weeks (thought maybe before that but wasn't sure if it was really it or not). Feet have been sore a few times after spending a lot of time on my feet. Heartburn has already started! :( Tomatoes and tomato based foods are probably the worst. Weighing in at 130lbs at 19 weeks (gained about 11 pounds so far). Baby measured at 8oz at our ultrasound. Also found out I have a "low-lying placenta". I haven't talked to the midwife yet so I don't know if it is actually partial placenta previa or if it is just really close to the cervix but I do have a follow up ultrasound scheduled in March to check the position again. My favorite parts of the ultrasound besides seeing the pics of our sweet baby and finding out the sex was 1) Kylie saying "Awww little baby, come out, come out!" And 2) the ultrasound tech saying "wow your bladder really filled up again fast didn't it?". Lol YES! Story of my life.
Lots of great pictures at our anatomy scan! Here are two of my favorites:
First Trimester:
Definitely felt like I started to show sooner this time. It was like the thick middle phase was faster and just went to a little belly almost immediately. But thankfully, it later seemed like I evened out so I think I'm almost the same size as I was last time this far along. Ironically, I weigh less this time around (although I won't be surprised if the holiday's help me catch up!). I was very tired and this time I felt a little more nauseous than my first pregnancy. It was worse right around supper time but sometimes would be other times of the day. I didn't actually vomit thought except once when I gagged myself with my toothbrush. I hated the heat we had at the end of the summer and couldn't wait for the cold autumn air. I had what felt like stretching pains right at the beginning and then I actually pulled a muscle in my stomach. It was sore for a couple days then was sore if I used my abs or hit it for about a week or two. Then it went away completely.
Second Trimester:
Feeling a lot better, especially after 14 weeks. Felt movement consistently starting at 18 weeks (thought maybe before that but wasn't sure if it was really it or not). Feet have been sore a few times after spending a lot of time on my feet. Heartburn has already started! :( Tomatoes and tomato based foods are probably the worst. Weighing in at 130lbs at 19 weeks (gained about 11 pounds so far). Baby measured at 8oz at our ultrasound. Also found out I have a "low-lying placenta". I haven't talked to the midwife yet so I don't know if it is actually partial placenta previa or if it is just really close to the cervix but I do have a follow up ultrasound scheduled in March to check the position again. My favorite parts of the ultrasound besides seeing the pics of our sweet baby and finding out the sex was 1) Kylie saying "Awww little baby, come out, come out!" And 2) the ultrasound tech saying "wow your bladder really filled up again fast didn't it?". Lol YES! Story of my life.
Lots of great pictures at our anatomy scan! Here are two of my favorites:
Friday, December 4, 2015
Things I never want to forget...
You never cease to amaze me! Especially eith the things you say. The other day you said "in fact,..." And last night you told me "listen, mom, listen". Then when we were eating supper I mentioned something about the sour cream and as you dipped your peppers in it, you told me "it's not sour cream, it's just good cream". Hahaha
Friday, November 20, 2015
Ages and Stages: 27 Months
Hello love, you are my pride and joy. Life with a two year old can be a wild ride sometimes but the reality is most of the time parenting is a bit easier now. You entertain yourself very well, you haven't been teething for quite a while and we haven't had any sickness to deal with lately, you eat great most of the time, have been sleeping better than ever (with the exception of the last two nights when you have decided you wanted to wake up and play in the middle of the night- but for my own sanity I'm going to say that was a freak phenomenon and won't happen again), you have been doing really well potty training which means I haven't been a slave to diaper laundry-yay!!, even your tantrums seem to be subsiding. Although I might eat my words with that last one, I've heard some people say tantrums don't get really bad until 3 so we will see!
But my point is, it is certainly easy to enjoy life with such an energetic goofball running around making us laugh all the time with the incredibly smart and hilarious things you say! You love playing with your little friends we are just trying to teach you not to get overly excited and be too rough. You talk all the time and still love to pretend! We have been doing lots of play with your toy food and you really like to play "restaurant" lately. You also love to help me cook and bake so that has been fun!
We have been reading lots of Christmas books lately, and you really love them all but especially our Alvin and the Chipmunks one and one of my childhood favorites, The Biggest Most Beautiful Christmas Tree. Oh and we can't forget "Arthur's Deck the Halls". We have watched a few Charlie Brown specials on tv and there is a new movie coming out so he is quite popular right now so that has been a new favorite. You like to pretend to be snoopy or Linus or Lucy and Daddy and I are various other complimenting characters. You have a little Charlie Brown figure from mcdonalds and Auntie Meg even got you a dancing Snoopy which has been a lot of fun!
You fit into 18 months right now basically. You have started to wear 24 months or 2t but they are usually a little big (some are way too big), but since you are starting to fit into them that's what we've been buying thinking they will fit through the winter that way. But I kind of wonder if you will be in 2t through most of next year. I got out some of your Cheistmas dresses from last year and they still fit you! Ha (not all though). Your hair is getting longer and it is so pretty. There is so much of a difference when it is wet in the bath and then when it is dried all curled up. It's so pretty and I get compliments all the time on it, even when I have been neglecting brushing it lol.
Oh and in case I haven't mentioned it, for the past two or three months we have been doing mommy and me gymnastics classes which you LOVE ! It's been a lot of fun :)
But my point is, it is certainly easy to enjoy life with such an energetic goofball running around making us laugh all the time with the incredibly smart and hilarious things you say! You love playing with your little friends we are just trying to teach you not to get overly excited and be too rough. You talk all the time and still love to pretend! We have been doing lots of play with your toy food and you really like to play "restaurant" lately. You also love to help me cook and bake so that has been fun!
We have been reading lots of Christmas books lately, and you really love them all but especially our Alvin and the Chipmunks one and one of my childhood favorites, The Biggest Most Beautiful Christmas Tree. Oh and we can't forget "Arthur's Deck the Halls". We have watched a few Charlie Brown specials on tv and there is a new movie coming out so he is quite popular right now so that has been a new favorite. You like to pretend to be snoopy or Linus or Lucy and Daddy and I are various other complimenting characters. You have a little Charlie Brown figure from mcdonalds and Auntie Meg even got you a dancing Snoopy which has been a lot of fun!
You fit into 18 months right now basically. You have started to wear 24 months or 2t but they are usually a little big (some are way too big), but since you are starting to fit into them that's what we've been buying thinking they will fit through the winter that way. But I kind of wonder if you will be in 2t through most of next year. I got out some of your Cheistmas dresses from last year and they still fit you! Ha (not all though). Your hair is getting longer and it is so pretty. There is so much of a difference when it is wet in the bath and then when it is dried all curled up. It's so pretty and I get compliments all the time on it, even when I have been neglecting brushing it lol.
Oh and in case I haven't mentioned it, for the past two or three months we have been doing mommy and me gymnastics classes which you LOVE ! It's been a lot of fun :)
Monday, November 16, 2015
Recommended: Little People Lift the Flap Books!
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Things I always want to remember
So I really wish I had time to write down or video tape everything you say little girl! While we were at your cousuns birthday this past weekend, his grandmother said, "Oh Kylie, you're just a laugh a minute!" And it is SO true!
I know I've wrote this before but your memory is just so incredible. The other day we were downstairs looking at the toys down there and you found a top then said " HMM Where's the other girl? When I got lemonade?" Because back in June we went to a garage sale where some big girls were selling lemonade and gave you that top! Then today we were reading a book about seasons and I asked you if you remembered chasing firefly sand you said "ya, at Memere a and Papa's" which is where we were. Then you added " and daddy threw the ice cream" HAHA! You were remembering when he threw the last little bit into the woods and you caught him and were quite upset! This was back in July or August!
I know I've wrote this before but your memory is just so incredible. The other day we were downstairs looking at the toys down there and you found a top then said " HMM Where's the other girl? When I got lemonade?" Because back in June we went to a garage sale where some big girls were selling lemonade and gave you that top! Then today we were reading a book about seasons and I asked you if you remembered chasing firefly sand you said "ya, at Memere a and Papa's" which is where we were. Then you added " and daddy threw the ice cream" HAHA! You were remembering when he threw the last little bit into the woods and you caught him and were quite upset! This was back in July or August!
Friday, October 16, 2015
Ages and stages: 26 months!
You are still the sweetest thing! Yesterday when we were leaving our gymnastics class, we walked past a preschool class in the hall and you said "scuse me, scuse me" the whole way! You still love to be my big helper, just 20 min ago I was putting things in the dishwasher and you got out the dish detergent for me! Your newest obsession is helping me bake. You absolutely love it and are getting good at pouring all the ingridents in! I'm very excited for another excuse to do lots of holiday baking this year haha. You have also really been into having "picnics" with your play food and "parties" with your play birthday cake. You still have lots of fun with a variety of your toys but recently you have been asking for your Cinderella and Tinkerbelle dolls. They are usually the guests of these picnics and parties we are having daily.
We have had a cold the past week or two, which hasn't been anything to major except you will often whine, "my boogers my boogers!". You have a few tantrums but they don't come too often only if you are very tired or hungry. You have become more particular about the clothes you will wear. Sometimes it's not an issue but probably 50% of the time you don't want to change and it's usually that you want to keep your pjs on (or just be "nakey"). Most of the time I can convince you by thinking of some game type thing or lately I've been telling you you need your warm clothes so you can feel better and not stay sick. It still takes a good 20 min sometimes till you give in though (and a few times it's been longer!).
One of your newest adorable things you say is "member?" For example, at lunch today you said "Member the little red caboose worth the fats and sweets? member?". Haha! These are the things I never want to forget!
We have had a cold the past week or two, which hasn't been anything to major except you will often whine, "my boogers my boogers!". You have a few tantrums but they don't come too often only if you are very tired or hungry. You have become more particular about the clothes you will wear. Sometimes it's not an issue but probably 50% of the time you don't want to change and it's usually that you want to keep your pjs on (or just be "nakey"). Most of the time I can convince you by thinking of some game type thing or lately I've been telling you you need your warm clothes so you can feel better and not stay sick. It still takes a good 20 min sometimes till you give in though (and a few times it's been longer!).
One of your newest adorable things you say is "member?" For example, at lunch today you said "Member the little red caboose worth the fats and sweets? member?". Haha! These are the things I never want to forget!
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Fall Book Ideas!
Just sharing some fun fall themed books that we own or have checked out at the library!
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Ages and Stages: 25 months!
Oh how I love you! You are so funny and cute and spirited! You still love puzzles and playing pretend! Recently you have been all about your princess dresses and "glass slippers" (really just white. Toddler dress shoes or hot pink water shoes). In fact, two nights ago you insisted in sleeping with your dress over your pjs! You have also gotten a little to brave when climbing lately. We have thus had to rearrange the living room a bit but you still try to climb up on the arm of her couch and jump down onto the cushions. We have been trying to channel this energy in a safer way by making a mountain of cushions on he floor which is working pretty well so far but we might have to introduce time outs in the near future.
You speak just like a little adult now. Everything is in sentences, sometimes quite impressive ones. In fact, you have progressed from using "no" frequently (and event went through an 'ow' phase), to using the word "not" when disagreeing with us. :P It is very cute especially when used like "I think not".
Temper tantrums have crept up in number, but they don't really last that long, so we haven't had anything too traumatic yet. Usually I just offer a hug but you don't usually want one, so I wait until you are ready and then you will calm down a bit and I will hold you until you are relaxed. It can be hard sometimes, when you get mad about things that are pointless to adults, or something that I can't do anything about (or when you get so frustrated you can't decide what you want). But you are so funny and fun and sweet most of the time that it makes up for all of the crankiness anyway! We have been very busy lately and it's been hard to keep up with these monthly updates but I will continue them as long as I can!!
***Updated to add that a favorite past time lately has been taking on and off your Velcro sneakers, again and again and again! :p
You speak just like a little adult now. Everything is in sentences, sometimes quite impressive ones. In fact, you have progressed from using "no" frequently (and event went through an 'ow' phase), to using the word "not" when disagreeing with us. :P It is very cute especially when used like "I think not".
Temper tantrums have crept up in number, but they don't really last that long, so we haven't had anything too traumatic yet. Usually I just offer a hug but you don't usually want one, so I wait until you are ready and then you will calm down a bit and I will hold you until you are relaxed. It can be hard sometimes, when you get mad about things that are pointless to adults, or something that I can't do anything about (or when you get so frustrated you can't decide what you want). But you are so funny and fun and sweet most of the time that it makes up for all of the crankiness anyway! We have been very busy lately and it's been hard to keep up with these monthly updates but I will continue them as long as I can!!
***Updated to add that a favorite past time lately has been taking on and off your Velcro sneakers, again and again and again! :p
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Things I always want to remember....
When Kylie is Alvin, Daddy is Dave and I am "Theodawrf"
Today you made up a song that said "Dr. Suess you have to brush your teeth. Brush brush your teeth."
Today you made up a song that said "Dr. Suess you have to brush your teeth. Brush brush your teeth."
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Ages and Stages: 2 Years!!
Forgive me for being a few days late but I wanted to wait until after your doctors appointment so I would have accurate stats for weight and height. Which are, 21lbs (1% at our doctors office) and 34 inches (55%). And your head is at
Kylie you are so incredible! I want to remember everything, because you say about a dozen hilarious things a day, but sadly, I often don't even remember them long enough to tell Daddy at the end of the day. At this exact moment I am sitting on the floor beside you attempting to type this and remember what I want to say, while you are looking at a Sesame Street calendar from 1990 that Memere kept for Daddy haha. Wow, talk about coming full circle! You find the pictures very interesting.
Okay, so you still absolutely love puzzles and really like the body puzzle I got you for your birthday. You also are very into dinosaurs right now and Daddy found you a nice play set for your birthday as well. You still LOVE to play pretend and most recently you have been pretending that you are Fozzie, I am Miss Piggy and Daddy is Kermit OR that you are "D.W.", I am Binky, and Daddy is Mr. Ratburn LOL!!! Another thing that cracks me up is this new game that you just started where you force me to look into my closet, Daddy to look into his closet and then you run into your room too look in your closet and then say "I have books in my closet" and name anything else you see. We have also played a pretty fun game where I pretend to be Santa and you tell me what you want for Christmas and so do all your toys. You will make up your own songs by singing gibberish to the melody of songs you know. You can count up to 18! You are a great little helper and love to do things "all by myself" as you would put it. :)
You have been eating really well lately! And since we weaned a few weeks ago you have been sleeping through the night more than ever! Sometimes you still wake up once though and ask for a snack.
Kylie you are so incredible! I want to remember everything, because you say about a dozen hilarious things a day, but sadly, I often don't even remember them long enough to tell Daddy at the end of the day. At this exact moment I am sitting on the floor beside you attempting to type this and remember what I want to say, while you are looking at a Sesame Street calendar from 1990 that Memere kept for Daddy haha. Wow, talk about coming full circle! You find the pictures very interesting.
Okay, so you still absolutely love puzzles and really like the body puzzle I got you for your birthday. You also are very into dinosaurs right now and Daddy found you a nice play set for your birthday as well. You still LOVE to play pretend and most recently you have been pretending that you are Fozzie, I am Miss Piggy and Daddy is Kermit OR that you are "D.W.", I am Binky, and Daddy is Mr. Ratburn LOL!!! Another thing that cracks me up is this new game that you just started where you force me to look into my closet, Daddy to look into his closet and then you run into your room too look in your closet and then say "I have books in my closet" and name anything else you see. We have also played a pretty fun game where I pretend to be Santa and you tell me what you want for Christmas and so do all your toys. You will make up your own songs by singing gibberish to the melody of songs you know. You can count up to 18! You are a great little helper and love to do things "all by myself" as you would put it. :)
You have been eating really well lately! And since we weaned a few weeks ago you have been sleeping through the night more than ever! Sometimes you still wake up once though and ask for a snack.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Weaning During World Breastfeeding Week
It's been a week with no breastfeeding and I think it's safe to say we have officially weaned. I was afraid to post anything before in case I might jinx it, and maybe somehow I still will. But so far everything has been going really well. I ended up putting band aids over my nipples and telling Kylie they needed a rest. She cried for about ten minutes the first night but then let me bounce her to sleep, although this did take a really long time because she was being extras fidgety trying to fight sleep (and boy can she when she tries). Then when she woke up around four the next morning she just let me rock her in the chair. The next night it was easier to put her to sleep but when she woke up she was more sad. Since then most nights have been pretty easy (some really easy) but there were two that she was extra tired and a little more cranky. But I think that is more just the regular patterns of a two year old than anything to do with breastfeeding. She doesn't even ask to nurse anymore. Now instead of telling me "it's time to nurse", she says "mommy's boobies are alllllll gone".
I'm a little sad, ideally she would have let go on her own, but I think I would have had more luck with that had I stopped nursing her to sleep when she was younger. But really I'm mostly happy and relieved it is going so well. I'm actually surprised I'm not more sad and in some ways it just feels normal. Since it has been so gradual and I have been working up to this point for basically the last six months, taking out this last step of nursing at bedtime and night hasn't really changed our routine that much. I'm also super happy to find that because we had nursed so rarely, my boobs have been adjusting really really well. It hasn't even been as bad as when I would just skip a feeding back when we were nursing regularly. The first day was no problem, the second day was pretty full, and the third day was quite full but still I hadn't felt like I really need to express anything out to be comfortable. And by the fourth day they had started to get soft again! I didn't even need to use those cabbage leaves I bought!
I think another surprise of weaning has been how proud I feel. I was expecting to feel guilty because I'm usually feeling mom guilt of some sort, but I really just feel very proud that we made it to two years! There were definitely times when I doubted myself, and especially during this second year I wondered if I was making a bad habit that I would never be able to stop. But now I just feel more confident that I did exactly what I wanted to do and everything worked out fine!!
Weaning during this week has meant many breastfeeding articles and pictures on my Facebook newsfeed to remind me that we are no longer nursing. I thought great, this is just going to make me sad, but really it has again just made me feel really proud and appreciative of our breastfeeding journey.
I'm a little sad, ideally she would have let go on her own, but I think I would have had more luck with that had I stopped nursing her to sleep when she was younger. But really I'm mostly happy and relieved it is going so well. I'm actually surprised I'm not more sad and in some ways it just feels normal. Since it has been so gradual and I have been working up to this point for basically the last six months, taking out this last step of nursing at bedtime and night hasn't really changed our routine that much. I'm also super happy to find that because we had nursed so rarely, my boobs have been adjusting really really well. It hasn't even been as bad as when I would just skip a feeding back when we were nursing regularly. The first day was no problem, the second day was pretty full, and the third day was quite full but still I hadn't felt like I really need to express anything out to be comfortable. And by the fourth day they had started to get soft again! I didn't even need to use those cabbage leaves I bought!
I think another surprise of weaning has been how proud I feel. I was expecting to feel guilty because I'm usually feeling mom guilt of some sort, but I really just feel very proud that we made it to two years! There were definitely times when I doubted myself, and especially during this second year I wondered if I was making a bad habit that I would never be able to stop. But now I just feel more confident that I did exactly what I wanted to do and everything worked out fine!!
Weaning during this week has meant many breastfeeding articles and pictures on my Facebook newsfeed to remind me that we are no longer nursing. I thought great, this is just going to make me sad, but really it has again just made me feel really proud and appreciative of our breastfeeding journey.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Weaning III
Still having so many mixed feelings around weaning. Part of me is really feeling the pressure and doubting myself a bit for even deciding to breastfeed this long. I really thought it would be easier if I waited until she was older, and it was relatively easy the time I tried last week. I mean she didn't really want to go to sleep, she kept fidgeting but there weren't really any tears. But the next day she pinched her finger in the door and I couldn't wean my baby while she was in pain! Fast forward to this week and she has been having a pretty rough time even going down for naps without nursing (we haven't used to sleep for nap but she has been crying for it). Which hasn't happened in over a month! Yesterday was the first day all week she fell asleep at nap happy, and so at bedtime I decided to try again, and it actually worked again with little fuss. She fell asleep after like 45 min of rocking/bouncing (oh yes I am aware I'm just replacing one bad habit with another but that is how I roll) but then she woke up when I laid her down and it was the end of that! And I gave in again! Gah! Why!? I just feel like I am failing major on this one. And now I have to decide if I just try it again and this time don't give in, or maybe let her nurse but not to sleep. That way I can get rid of the nursing to sleep before I actually take away the nursing all together. But then I really feel like the only thing that is keeping the nursing around is as a way to fall asleep, and its not really necessary to keep it. But maybe it would be gentler. I guess I could try it. Yet, I'm really over all of this and would love for it to just be behind us and trying the second way will just prolong it. Now that we are approaching two years, I feel like we are probably making some people start to wonder. And I hate that I care! I hate that I am letting them make me doubt myself! So I'm trying to figure out what part of my feelings are coming from a feeling like I have to wean because that's what everyone expects, or my own feelings that I really want to wean. Of course there are times when I feel like breastfeeding is inconvenient and I would love a little more freedom, but there are other times when I think about how I will be sad when it's over. While rocking her to sleep these past few days for nap and at night I keep thinking about her as a baby, and how she is so big now, but still my baby. How fast it all went and how there is so much letting go little by little in parenting, and how this will just be the beginning of many years ahead. I used to think I could only do it till two, and then as it gets closer I think I could probably go longer if I really wanted too. I totally understand why people let there kids self wean and I sometimes wish I could trust myself enough to go that path. But I also want to get pregnant. Which thus makes me feel very guilty about not wanting to nurse while I'm pregnant. I know it's doable so I feel like I should do it, but I really don't want to tandem nurse (even though I think there are definitely benefits, I know I would be too overwhelmed) and I'm afraid KyKy wouldn't self wean. Yet a part of me is still holding on to hope that possibility could somehow play out.
So I'm kind of lost on what to do next, or even what I want to do next.
So I'm kind of lost on what to do next, or even what I want to do next.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Ages and Stages: 23 Months
Another quick little monthly update while you take a monster nap (over three hours now-should I wake you up, are you still over tired from the long weekend, is this why you have been a little cranky at naptime and bedtime this week). ANYWAY, you love to play with your stuffed animals and any type of little figure (the wooden melissa and doug people, the fisher price little people and animals, your baby dolls, Tinkerbell, Cinderella, your minions, and we can't for get Georgie, or the Jerry and Ryan puppets! etc. etc. ) It's so funny because you will play with them with each other really well, but then you will be very lovey with them too, giving them hugs and saying I love you. In fact you have been very liberal with your "I love you's" recently. You even said " I love you big girl" to one of the mannequins at old navy the other day. lol You also love and are A pro at puzzles!!
You will do at least 6 in a row and we even have some 8 and 12 piece ones you can do yourself!!
You know most of your letters by sight now but sometimes you say K is X and I is T and P is R. But you can usually get that last one right if I ask you to try again. You can count to 13 and then will say random letters like "16,19, 22, 28..". You say the cutest things all the time! I love that you can tell me what you want to eat now. Recently I have been really loving it when you say "hmmmm" and just throw out "someday" into the conversations. I hope I never forget your expressions and the way your little voice sounds when you say those things! You also say things are your "favorite" sometimes even though it might be debatable in some situations. And a few times when you have been trying to tell me what you want, you say "the thing I like to do" lol. I love that! You are just the best and are so funny!
You will do at least 6 in a row and we even have some 8 and 12 piece ones you can do yourself!!
You know most of your letters by sight now but sometimes you say K is X and I is T and P is R. But you can usually get that last one right if I ask you to try again. You can count to 13 and then will say random letters like "16,19, 22, 28..". You say the cutest things all the time! I love that you can tell me what you want to eat now. Recently I have been really loving it when you say "hmmmm" and just throw out "someday" into the conversations. I hope I never forget your expressions and the way your little voice sounds when you say those things! You also say things are your "favorite" sometimes even though it might be debatable in some situations. And a few times when you have been trying to tell me what you want, you say "the thing I like to do" lol. I love that! You are just the best and are so funny!
Friday, July 10, 2015
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Fun With Felt: DIY Felt Wall!
Our DIY felt wall:
So ever since I saw the idea of a felt board on Pinterest I knew I would have to try it out! But instead of actually making a felt board, I decided to be lazy and just hang the felt directly onto the wall with painters tape. We have the perfect half wall in our split level house to do it on and this way I didn't have to make any holes! I will admit that I first tried to tape both the sky and ground up without sewing them together, which lasted a little while but then I had a little area right in the middle of the scene that things wouldn't stick to very well. So I eventually did sew the light blue and green panels together. When we want to make the ocean or the backing for the map I just stick the blue over our base sky and land and painters tape the sides and it works fine.
I have had the felt wall for probably five months now and I just add little pieces here and there as I I have time. Some pieces I have sewn together, some I have just hot glued. I think the scuba diver is my favorite (I found the template on Pinterest here) and the little piggies are Kylie's favorite!.
There is still so much I want to do: more farm animals, more foods, a big bad wolf, a garden, more things to show the changing seasons. It really could be a never ending addiction for me. I also have many more ideas for the world map (although I still need to add Antarctica) that include more than just felt! My inspiration from that project is coming from here and here. But since Kylie is still a little young for some aspects of it, I will probably hold off until this winter.
So ever since I saw the idea of a felt board on Pinterest I knew I would have to try it out! But instead of actually making a felt board, I decided to be lazy and just hang the felt directly onto the wall with painters tape. We have the perfect half wall in our split level house to do it on and this way I didn't have to make any holes! I will admit that I first tried to tape both the sky and ground up without sewing them together, which lasted a little while but then I had a little area right in the middle of the scene that things wouldn't stick to very well. So I eventually did sew the light blue and green panels together. When we want to make the ocean or the backing for the map I just stick the blue over our base sky and land and painters tape the sides and it works fine.
I have had the felt wall for probably five months now and I just add little pieces here and there as I I have time. Some pieces I have sewn together, some I have just hot glued. I think the scuba diver is my favorite (I found the template on Pinterest here) and the little piggies are Kylie's favorite!.
There is still so much I want to do: more farm animals, more foods, a big bad wolf, a garden, more things to show the changing seasons. It really could be a never ending addiction for me. I also have many more ideas for the world map (although I still need to add Antarctica) that include more than just felt! My inspiration from that project is coming from here and here. But since Kylie is still a little young for some aspects of it, I will probably hold off until this winter.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Confessions
Forgive me father for I have sinned.
I have been spoiling baby girl with new toys, books, and puzzles a little too much lately. Remember last year when I wrote this post about how as far as toys I was doing pretty good? Well, oh how the mighty have fallen. This year I want EVERYTHING! She plays so good now and is just at the age where it is so much fun to buy her things because she is excited about them, but also isn't bratty about them yet. Plus, I LOVE playtime, so I get sucked into the new toy trap almost as much as a 5 year old! But in my defense, I go most crazy for the geeky educational type toys. I do feel the need to note here that I think pretty much any toy has some educational value because PLAY=LEARNING. So there is my problem!
She seriously has more self control than me. The other day in JC Penny I needed to find something for $10 to use a coupon I had and I found these two little stuffed animal mice, Jack and Gus from Cinderella, and I was going to buy them to her. Well after she had been holding them for a while and when we went to check out she said "put them back"! The back story here is that I usually tell her we are going to put the toys back with their friends and say goodbye/see ya next time. So she was actually the one that prevented an impulse buy.
Another way I have been defending myself is because most of my purchases have been from garage sales. So, I feel better about the price and that the toys are second hand and thus better for the environment. But, I'm still probably spending a little too much money and it's so close to her birthday! I'm sabotaging myself because there will be nothing good left for a birthday present.
Gah. So I have confessed my sins and I will try to work on them. Probably best to avoid temptation altogether and just stay home!
I have been spoiling baby girl with new toys, books, and puzzles a little too much lately. Remember last year when I wrote this post about how as far as toys I was doing pretty good? Well, oh how the mighty have fallen. This year I want EVERYTHING! She plays so good now and is just at the age where it is so much fun to buy her things because she is excited about them, but also isn't bratty about them yet. Plus, I LOVE playtime, so I get sucked into the new toy trap almost as much as a 5 year old! But in my defense, I go most crazy for the geeky educational type toys. I do feel the need to note here that I think pretty much any toy has some educational value because PLAY=LEARNING. So there is my problem!
She seriously has more self control than me. The other day in JC Penny I needed to find something for $10 to use a coupon I had and I found these two little stuffed animal mice, Jack and Gus from Cinderella, and I was going to buy them to her. Well after she had been holding them for a while and when we went to check out she said "put them back"! The back story here is that I usually tell her we are going to put the toys back with their friends and say goodbye/see ya next time. So she was actually the one that prevented an impulse buy.
Another way I have been defending myself is because most of my purchases have been from garage sales. So, I feel better about the price and that the toys are second hand and thus better for the environment. But, I'm still probably spending a little too much money and it's so close to her birthday! I'm sabotaging myself because there will be nothing good left for a birthday present.
Gah. So I have confessed my sins and I will try to work on them. Probably best to avoid temptation altogether and just stay home!
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Ages and Stages: 22 months
Forgive me baby girl but this might be a shorter post as I have to type it on the ipad. Right now I am currently sitting next to you listening to you play with your "magic school bus" and little people.
"Man! Are you alright? I'll help you and give you wipe" [sounds sort of like wife :p]. "That's a very good boy. Good boys and girls". Then you bring in the dolphin, "get out, get out kids".
You play so well!! We recently purchased a train table at a garage sale and you love playing on that with the train tracks (particularly the bridge piece) and your little wood people and town blocks. You still love to paint and color and play with stickers. But the thing you LOVE to play with most of all is puzzles! You still like Cinderella and the dwarfs but your new favorite is the Lion King. We have the book and will watch the songs on YouTube. You will often sing Hakuna mata and even say the "nothing, what's a matta with you?" part lol. You also sing "Can you feel the love tonight" and will randomly talk about the circle of life :p. In fact, you call one of your puzzles your "Mufasa puzzle" because it has a cartoon male lion and cub on it! You are just sooooo awesome!
Your bottom two year molars are pretty much all the way through except a tiny piece of gum in the back, and on top they are just starting to pop through. You've actually had a hard time a few times the past week or so and bit me in the face the other day so bad it left a mark. We tried time out after that but it didn't seem to phase you. We know it's just your teeth hurting but we want you to learn it's not okay to bite people. The pain seems to be the worst right before they break through. You are down to nursing right before bed to fall asleep and if you wake up during the night, which is usually between 3:30 and 5:00am.
Random things I always want to remember:
When you say "honey" at the end of a sentence randomly.
"Bow to the king".
"Excuse me, bag".
"Man! Are you alright? I'll help you and give you wipe" [sounds sort of like wife :p]. "That's a very good boy. Good boys and girls". Then you bring in the dolphin, "get out, get out kids".
You play so well!! We recently purchased a train table at a garage sale and you love playing on that with the train tracks (particularly the bridge piece) and your little wood people and town blocks. You still love to paint and color and play with stickers. But the thing you LOVE to play with most of all is puzzles! You still like Cinderella and the dwarfs but your new favorite is the Lion King. We have the book and will watch the songs on YouTube. You will often sing Hakuna mata and even say the "nothing, what's a matta with you?" part lol. You also sing "Can you feel the love tonight" and will randomly talk about the circle of life :p. In fact, you call one of your puzzles your "Mufasa puzzle" because it has a cartoon male lion and cub on it! You are just sooooo awesome!
Your bottom two year molars are pretty much all the way through except a tiny piece of gum in the back, and on top they are just starting to pop through. You've actually had a hard time a few times the past week or so and bit me in the face the other day so bad it left a mark. We tried time out after that but it didn't seem to phase you. We know it's just your teeth hurting but we want you to learn it's not okay to bite people. The pain seems to be the worst right before they break through. You are down to nursing right before bed to fall asleep and if you wake up during the night, which is usually between 3:30 and 5:00am.
Random things I always want to remember:
When you say "honey" at the end of a sentence randomly.
"Bow to the king".
"Excuse me, bag".
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Weaning II
I foresee many of posts on this subject as I know it is going to be a major transition for both baby girl and me. Last night didn't go very well and I caved. In my head I am worried about how giving in will just enable her more, but I am not cut out for "cry it out" or anything resembling it. I'm just too soft! It's literally torture for me listening to her cry, especially when I know it's my fault and I can fix it. But then where does that leave me? I would like to believe that there will be a time when she will be ready to give up nursing, but what if it's not until she is much older? I don't think I could go much past the age of two. Even if I felt okay with it, I know the pressure to wean would be too much for me then. I would love to believe she would stop nursing on her own if I got pregnant like many toddlers do apparently. But what if she doesn't? I don't think I would want to go through something like last night while pregnant.
So for now, since not nursing all day was a pretty easy adjustment I am going to continue that and then try giving up the night feed again in a week or two.
So for now, since not nursing all day was a pretty easy adjustment I am going to continue that and then try giving up the night feed again in a week or two.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Are we really weaning?
Is this real life, am I really weaning my baby girl? I'm not even sure, so far today it looks like it. She is now 21 months and although I really didn't want to be a "weaner" I think I have made it to that point. I have so many emotions. In many ways, I'm ready. I am SO ready. Some of it has a lot to do with the pressure from other people, particularly my husband. But then I have my own reasons. Nursing a toddler is not the same as nursing an infant. It is less soft and cuddly and a lot more wiggly and pinchy. Also, as expressed in my last post I would like to start trying for another again soon and I although I love breastfeeding I don't think I could handle tandem nursing. Plus, I know it is going to be a busy summer so I want to do this now rather than later when it could be harder. And I definitely don't want to wean her during other transitional times like during potty training or getting into a big girl bed and such. I just feel like now is the right time. But in other ways I'm terrified. I don't want to put myself and my reasons before her needs. I don't want it to be traumatic for her. What if doing it too soon will make her insecure and clingy? I'm so worried she will hate me. I'm scared of how our relationship will change. I don't want my baby to get any bigger! I feel that anxious sick feeling and I'm sure I will feel this way over the next few days.
I go back and forth in my head about what I should do. So I guess I'm just going to go ahead and try and see how baby girl does with it. If it seems that she is tolerating the change decently we will proceed but if it seems to be too traumatic then I will just have to wait until another time.
I go back and forth in my head about what I should do. So I guess I'm just going to go ahead and try and see how baby girl does with it. If it seems that she is tolerating the change decently we will proceed but if it seems to be too traumatic then I will just have to wait until another time.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Ages and Stages: 21 Months
Ah, you are such a little toddler now! You look so long and lean! You still fit into some 12 month clothes :P but are mostly wearing 18 month right now. We still can't get over how smart you are. You are literally repeating EVERYTHING now. Phrases and little sentences and everything. And of course you are communicating your own ideas through sentences and phrases too. Sometimes you will add "today" or "this morning" to random things you say and it is just too cute, especially when it doesn't really fit what you have said. I also can't get enough of the "you're so beautiful's" I get from you almost every day, as you cup my head in your hands. The other day you even told me, "you're so cute, mommy". The only time you are really that quiet is if we are around a lot of people. Recently you have been reciting the first few lines of your favorite book "Cinderella": "Once upon a time there was a girl named Cinderella. She lived with her stepmother. Stepmother didn't like Cinderella. She worked very hard every day." You come up with the cutest little games to play now, like for example when you go to the glass door and come and run into our arms and then tell us "Tinkerbelle too fast" or "Snow White too fast", referring to yourself. I love it when you pretend to be someone, last night you were pretending you were Sneezy the dawrf! You will say "Sneezy likes..." and "Sneezy is..." you know exactly how to play. You love to play with all your stuffed animals and wrap them up like your babies, so they become "baby Ernie", "baby Rosita", etc. You also love to take them and show them how to slide down the slide. Recently some favorites have been "George" (the monkey beanie baby), Spot, and Simba.You also have been really into playing with stickers lately, so we have been doing a lot of that. You still love to paint so I try to do that every once in a while too. I got you a little Melissa & Doug puzzle where you put shapes in corresponding parts of the picture and you like to do that and then clap for yourself and say horray!
We have been going to the park quite a bit lately and you love to see the other kids there. You will say "Hey, little boy, hey, hey, come mere" or "Hey, little girl, whatca thinking?". You are not shy at all and will basically follow around anyone you take a liking too.
You are definitely getting your bottom 2 year molars. They have given you some trouble here and there, but so far not as much as the 12 year molars (in my opinion). But I can tell they are just barely starting to pop through so I'm sure we have a long way to go. You have been nursing basically twice a day, for nap and night time and wake up once during the night. Except we did have a little regression on nursing frequency and night waking for a week or two at the end of April when your molars seemed to be hurting the worst.
We have been going to the park quite a bit lately and you love to see the other kids there. You will say "Hey, little boy, hey, hey, come mere" or "Hey, little girl, whatca thinking?". You are not shy at all and will basically follow around anyone you take a liking too.
You are definitely getting your bottom 2 year molars. They have given you some trouble here and there, but so far not as much as the 12 year molars (in my opinion). But I can tell they are just barely starting to pop through so I'm sure we have a long way to go. You have been nursing basically twice a day, for nap and night time and wake up once during the night. Except we did have a little regression on nursing frequency and night waking for a week or two at the end of April when your molars seemed to be hurting the worst.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Baby fever!
So thrilled to announce I now have a precious new Niece! And I officially have baby fever! For a while I wasn't sure if it would ever happen to me; the idea of another baby had me teetering from being super excited to completely terrified! But now that baby girl is not so much a baby anymore and keeping herself entertained more and more it seems like we could add another to our family. actually I am now feeling like I really want to give Baby girl a sibling to play and love! I think the time is almost exactly right! So let's hope fate will agree :)
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Spring is here!
Ages and stages: 20 Months!
Hello my little darling! You are now 20 months old and looking very toddlerish these days. I don't think there is any baby fat left on that cute little body of yours. You are talking in sentences more and more now. Sometimes they are a bit jumbled or broken up but it is still so amazing to hear you make this more advanced kind of communication. You have always been so much fun to play with but the jump in communication skills just makes it more fun!
Lately you have been loving to read your Cinderella book and talk about her, the mean stepmother and little mice (which is always followed by a hehehe). We sometimes watch videos of the songs on youtube and you love that. You have a little wand that you will carry around , saying "bibbidi bobbidi boo" and you also have a dress we call your Cinderella dress that you love to wear. You also love Mr. Noodle from Elmo's world and will talk about him quite regularly too.
Your songs of choice lately have been some we sing at library time; "open, shut them" and "sticky sticky bubble gum" but you still sing your old favorites "twinkle, twinkle" and "rock a bye baby". Speaking of, you have been all about babies lately. Your dolls are one of your absolute favorite things to play with now (not your tea party set anymore), and anytime we see a baby you have to go over and try to hug it. Thankfully, the moms at story time are very accommodating. This is perfect since your new baby cousin Nila is due any day now! :)
You like to play with your farm set, and town blocks quite a bit still. You like your puzzles too but I'm afraid you might grow out of them soon, they are just a piece of cake for you now. You were loving bath time until about two weeks ago when all of a sudden you started refusing it. We are pretty confused about it, maybe it will be the topic of a future post. You like to play this adorable "night, night....wake up!" game with me and daddy and any number of your babies or stuffed animals. You still looooove books and we read them all the time!
We have seen a few little tantrums, which breaks my heart. Mostly they have happened when you were really tired and hungry for one of them. I just feel bad not being able to rationalize with you for somethings. You love to run around the stores now and have been refusing to sit in the cart so I've generally been avoiding them as much as possible. Also you have been waking up in the middle of the night for like two hours at a tine again. Gah! Those nights are hard, but when this happened a while ago it passed so hopefully it will again soon! All in all though we are having a blast most days! Especially with the weather starting to warm up. I am so looking forward to all the fun we are going to have this summer!!
Lately you have been loving to read your Cinderella book and talk about her, the mean stepmother and little mice (which is always followed by a hehehe). We sometimes watch videos of the songs on youtube and you love that. You have a little wand that you will carry around , saying "bibbidi bobbidi boo" and you also have a dress we call your Cinderella dress that you love to wear. You also love Mr. Noodle from Elmo's world and will talk about him quite regularly too.
Your songs of choice lately have been some we sing at library time; "open, shut them" and "sticky sticky bubble gum" but you still sing your old favorites "twinkle, twinkle" and "rock a bye baby". Speaking of, you have been all about babies lately. Your dolls are one of your absolute favorite things to play with now (not your tea party set anymore), and anytime we see a baby you have to go over and try to hug it. Thankfully, the moms at story time are very accommodating. This is perfect since your new baby cousin Nila is due any day now! :)
You like to play with your farm set, and town blocks quite a bit still. You like your puzzles too but I'm afraid you might grow out of them soon, they are just a piece of cake for you now. You were loving bath time until about two weeks ago when all of a sudden you started refusing it. We are pretty confused about it, maybe it will be the topic of a future post. You like to play this adorable "night, night....wake up!" game with me and daddy and any number of your babies or stuffed animals. You still looooove books and we read them all the time!
We have seen a few little tantrums, which breaks my heart. Mostly they have happened when you were really tired and hungry for one of them. I just feel bad not being able to rationalize with you for somethings. You love to run around the stores now and have been refusing to sit in the cart so I've generally been avoiding them as much as possible. Also you have been waking up in the middle of the night for like two hours at a tine again. Gah! Those nights are hard, but when this happened a while ago it passed so hopefully it will again soon! All in all though we are having a blast most days! Especially with the weather starting to warm up. I am so looking forward to all the fun we are going to have this summer!!
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
I LOVE THIS AGE!
Can I just say how much I LOVE this age :) Not that I didn't love all the months up til now but this age is just so fun. So much PLAY, so many HUGS, so many "thank you, mommy"s and "I love mommy"s and "mommy and daddy and Kylie and mommy and daddy and Kylie and mommy are family". GAH! THE BEST!
Also can I just say how sad it makes me that it all is going by so fast! SLOW DOWN!
And now for a darling picture taken on Easter:
Also can I just say how sad it makes me that it all is going by so fast! SLOW DOWN!
And now for a darling picture taken on Easter:
Friday, April 3, 2015
Everything Easter!
At some point I will be able to write a post with some substance again, but today I only have time to post a couple more Easter crafts and baby girls Easter goodies :)
I tend to obsess over stuff like (I blame it on my mom who always gave us perfectly put together things for the holidays), but I absolutely LOVE the way it turned out and I can't wait for Easter morning now!!!
Easter crafts:
Wooden Easter Eggs I painted filled with stickers to find on Easter morning:
Goodies for the Easter Basket:
And the finished product:
Friday, March 20, 2015
A Simple Easter Craft
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